Emery responds to Guardiola praise ahead of Manchester City clash

Author:
Barnaby Lane
August 10, 2018

Unai Emery has responded to praise from Pep Guardiola ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City this Sunday.

Guardiola was highly complimentary of Emery ahead of the two side’s meeting on Sunday, describing the Gunners boss as a “top, top manager” who has achieved something “truly unique in football”, referencing the three consecutive Europa League titles he won during his time with Sevilla.

The pair are extremely familiar with each other from there spells in Spain, where Guardiola of course won three consecutive La Liga titles and two Champions Leagues with Barcelona between 2008-2012.

Emery managed first Almeria and then Valencia in Spain during that time period, and the Arsenal coach says he is looking forward to meet his old adversary once again.

“I am 46 and he is 47,” he said. “His career as a player is bigger than mine and his career as a coach is also bigger than mine, but we started at the same moment, our career as coaches.

“His coaches, with statistics and data, is better than me also. But I like to play more against him because it’s demanding for your preparation, to try to win against his teams.

“When we were in Spain, for me, each match against Barcelona with Almeria and then with Valencia for four years, was very exciting and demanding.

“It’s for that reason that Sunday is the same for me here. A new experience, but with one work with a lot of ambition for me. I want to show and to give our players also this ambition.”